MINUTES CITY OF LONSDALE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 24, 2009 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rud called a meeting of the Lonsdale City Council to order at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers at 415 Central Street West. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Daleiden, Kodad, Rud, and Furrer Absent: Smith Staff Present: City Administrator Joel Erickson, City Planner Benjamin Baker, Public Works Director Russ Vlasak, and City Engineer Kevin Kawlewski 4. AGENDA Mayor Rud asked if anyone had any additions, deletions, or corrections to the agenda. A motion was made by Daleiden and seconded by Kodada to approve the agenda as presented. Vote for: Daleiden, Kodada, Rud, and Furrer. Against: None. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Furrer and seconded by Kodada to approve the minutes from the August 27, 2009 Regular Meeting, the August 31, 2009 Special Meeting, and the September 10, 2009 Regular Meeting. Vote for: Daleiden, Kodada, Rud, and Furrer. Against: None. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance 2009-232 An Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 33, City Council; 33.08 Compensation (Reduction of City Council Compensation) Rud read the notice and opened the public hearing. Erickson provided a brief history behind the proposed reduction in Council compensation. He said that during the 2009 and 2010 budget reduction meetings, the Council discussed and directed staff to prepare the necessary documents to reduce the Council s compensation. He said that discussions focused on either temporarily reducing the Council s compensation or reducing the number of Council meetings in half. He said that after further discussion the Council decided to temporarily reduce their compensation. Erickson provided the current and proposed compensation figures, and provided background information from the Minnesota State Legislative session allowing for temporary reductions in compensation. Page 1 of 6
Rud asked if anyone in the audience wanted to speak on the matter. John Duban, 800 8 th Avenue NW, asked why the Council holds some public hearings during special meetings. He suggested holding all public hearings at regular meetings so that more people would show up to the regular meetings. A motion was made by Kodada and seconded by Furrer to close the public hearing. Vote for: Daleiden, Kodada, Rud, and Furrer. Against: None. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. The hearing closed at 7:06 pm. 7. PRESENTATION OF CITIZEN PETITIONS AND COMMENTS None 8. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Kodada and seconded by Furrer to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Monthly Bills b. Treasurer s Report c. Board and Commission Minutes d. Consider Approval of a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Application for Exempt Permit for the Holy Cross Catholic School e. Consider Approval of Resolution 2009-33, a Resolution Entering Into an Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, for the Project Entitled Safe & Sober During the Period of October 1, 2009 Through September 30, 2010 Vote for: Daleiden, Kodada, Rud, and Furrer. Against: None. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. 9. OLD BUSINESS a. Update on Library Consulting Agreement Between the City of Lonsdale and the City of Northfield Erickson said that at the last Council meeting, the Council directed staff to talk with Northfield about amending the proposed agreement to an hourly consulting fee. Erickson mentioned that Northfield discussed the amendment, and they decided to not help the new Lonsdale library at all. He said that Northfield s main reasons were: 1) revenue and the uncertainty of the amount for budgeting purposes and 2) Northfield has and will need to make budget cuts and they want to focus on their own library instead of assisting Lonsdale. Erickson mentioned that staff and the Library Board will be working through the end of the year to get the Library operational and continue to plan for an early January opening. Rud asked about the applicants for the Library Director position. Erickson mentioned that the application period closed today and approximately 10 Page 2 of 6
applications were received. Rud publicly thanked the City of Northfield for their assistance. Kodada asked about the Bookmobile. Erickson provided an update on the Bookmobile s service status, and he explained the funding formula for rural areas of Rice County. The Council direct staff to send the issue back to the Library Board for their input. b. Consider Approval of a Quote in the Amount of $15,525.00 Submitted by Aeration Industries International, Inc. for a 10 HP Triton Aerator/Mixer Vlasak provided a quote from Aeration Industries International, Inc. for the Council to review. He said that as requested by the Council at the previous meeting, he made contact with Aeromix, but he said they are not interested in buying back any of Lonsdale s current aerators. He said that purchasing one new aerator from Aeration Industries would be the best route of action at this time. Kodada asked if Bill Chang has been contacted regarding the situation. Vlasak said yes, and he described the reasoning behind originally going with Aeromix. He said that the Public Works Department would look at retrofitting the current pontoons to fit the new aerator to save on costs. He also said that they could use the decommissioned Aeromix aerator as parts for the other Aeromix aerators. The Council discussed the pros and cons of renting versus buying a new aerator. Kodada asked what the main problem was with the existing aerators. Vlasak explained that the seals are breaking and the bearings are breaking down. Kodada asked if insurance would cover the problem. Furrer asked how long Lonsdale could run on only one pond (4 aerators). Vlasak said that it depends on the growth rate. Rud stated that he is not in favor of spending money, but Vlasak said that the aerator was budgeted for. Vlasak also assured the Council that the new Aeration aerator would come with a 5 year warranty. Kodada said that it makes sense to go with the buyout route and research the insurance claim possibility. A motion was made by Kodada and seconded by Furrer to approve a quote in the amount of $15,525.00 submitted by Aeration Industries International, Inc. for a 10 HP Triton Aerator/Mixer. Vote for: Daleiden, Kodada, Rud, and Furrer. Against: None. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. 10. NEW BUSINESS a. Consider Approval of Ordinance 2009-232, an Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 33, City Council; 33.08 Compensation (Reduction of City Council Compensation) Rud stated that this is the Council s way of participating in cutting back during tough economic times. He said that the Council is trying to lead by example. Rud also said that the Council always tries to limit their special meetings, and he said the majority of public hearings are held at regular meetings. A motion was made by Daleiden and seconded by Kodada to approve Ordinance 2009-232, an Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 33, City Council; 33.08 Compensation (Reduction of City Council Compensation). Vote for: Daleiden, Kodada, Rud, and Furrer. Against: None. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. Page 3 of 6
b. Consider Approval to Increase the City s Fee for Snow Removal From $0.70 Per Square yard to $1.00 Per Square Yard Erickson explained that over the years the City has loaded and removed snow for a few businesses in town that have no places to store snow during the winter months. He provided a list of the businesses along with what they paid in 2008/2009 for snow removal. He mentioned that the City has not increased their prices since 2000. He provided a breakdown list showing the impact of a proposed $0.30 per yard increase for each business, which is still substantially less than rates that contractors are currently charging for similar services. Rud stated that he would hate to see an increase in costs to local businesses during these hard times. Kodada agreed that the City should keep its current rates for the 2009/2010 season. Furrer suggested sending out a notice a year in advance to the businesses so that they can budget for an increased snow removal rate next year. The Council directed City staff to send out a notice to affected businesses preparing them for a proposed $0.30 rate increase for the 2010/2011 snow season. c. Consider Approval of a Quote Submitted by Prior Lake Blacktop, Inc. in the Amount of $15,715.00 for Milling and Overlaying of Florida Street SW and Grand Avenue SW (Heritage Estates 4 th /5 th Additions) Vlasak said that there are some trench settlements and protruding manholes that are causing unsafe road conditions in the Heritage Estates development. He said that City staff has contacted the contractor and developer to repair the roads but they have refused to do anything about the situation. He mentioned that he also contacted Prior Lake Blacktop to submit a price for the needed repairs since they will be in town soon to do work in Harmony Meadows. Vlasak recommended that the repairs be made to Florida Street and Grand Avenue SW while Prior Lake Blacktop is in town, and he provided a quote from Prior Lake Blacktop in the amount of $15,715.00. The Council asked if anybody in the Heritage Estates neighborhood has complained about the roads yet. Vlasak said no. Kodada suggested that only minimal costs be put into the proposed road repairs at this time. He recommended pulling a few manhole rings to lower them down. The Council recommended not spending much money this year on the suggested repairs, and they directed City staff to put the project on a future priority list. d. Consider Approval to Assign a Land Lease Agreement Between the City of Lonsdale and Verizon Wireless to Abraham Divestiture Company LLC Erickson explained the history of the Midwest Wireless/Alltel/Verizon cell phone tower currently in place near the City s watertower. He said that before Verizon took over Alltel, a land lease had already been established for another tower site in the same vicinity. He explained that since Verizon has now taken over Alltel, Verizon does not need the other tower and is looking to assign the land lease agreement over to AT&T (Abraham Divestiture Company). Erickson recommended assigning the current land lease between the City of Lonsdale and Verizon Wireless over to Abraham Divestiture Company. Erickson said that the tower brings in $1,600.00 per month for parks and recreation. Erickson stated that each subleasing company would be responsible to pay Page 4 of 6
$2,000.00 per year as well. He also mentioned that it should bring anther cell phone provider or two to town. A motion was made by Kodada and seconded by Daleiden to assign a land lease agreement between the City of Lonsdale and Verizon Wireless to Abraham Divestiture Company LLC. Vote for: Daleiden, Kodada, Rud, and Furrer. Against: None. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. e. Consider Approval of Request/Petition Submitted by the Property Owners of 320 and 321 4 th Avenue NW for Barrier and/or Signage (No Thru Traffic) to be installed at the End of 4 th Avenue NW Erickson stated that he recently met with the property owners of 320 and 321 4 th Avenue NW to discuss their concerns regarding the use of the unimproved right-of-way north of the paved potion of 4 th Avenue NW. He said that the property owners have requested more distinct barriers or signage to stop people from accessing the unpaved portion of 4 th Avenue NW. Erickson mentioned that there are currently two diamond reflector signs on posts at the end of the pavement, but some people have been going around the signs leaving ruts and tearing up the grass. Erickson said that the neighboring property owners have maintained the unpaved right-of-way and fixed the ruts over the years. The Council said that they could definitely understand their concerns, but they also agreed that it was public right-of-way. The Council direct City staff to meet with the property owners in that area to see if a compromise can be reached. No action was taken. 11. OTHER BUSINESS Council Member Daleiden Daleiden reported good news from the Liquor Store. He mentioned that the store recorded its second highest profit. Council Member Kodada Kodada stated that all 15 trail benches were installed and are ready for use. Council Member Smith Absent Council Member Furrer None Council Member Rud Rud mentioned that the Villages of Lonsdale was planning its grand opening celebration on October 25, 2009. He also mentioned that the library recently received an anonymous $10,000 donation. 12. ADJOURNMENT Page 5 of 6
A motion was made by Daleiden and seconded by Kodada to adjourn the meeting. Vote for: Daleiden, Kodada, Rud, Smith, and Furrer. Against: None. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried. The meeting closed at 8:03 pm. Respectfully Submitted: Joel A. Erickson, City Administrator Page 6 of 6